Recorder having ink supply means for movable ink tank

Claim 2

A recorder comprising: a record element for recording data on a record medium by recording liquid; a first tank movable with said record element for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said record element; a second tank fixedly mounted on a body of said recorder for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said first tank; a plurality of recording liquid paths for connecting said first tank with said second tank; connection/disconnection means for connecting and disconnecting said recording liquid paths; supply means for supplying said recording liquid when said recording liquid paths are established; said connection/disconnection means including members, each having an opening through which a member for constructing a corresponding said recording liquid path extends; and said members having the openings being supported to be movable axially of said recording liquid paths relative to said first tank and said connection/disconnection means being supported to be movable substantially normal to said axial direction.

Claim 3

A recorder according to claim 1 wherein said connection/disconnection means includes a curtain blade.

Claim 4

A recorder according to claim 1 wherein said connection/disconnection means is separately arranged on said record element and on said second tank so that said connection/disconnection means arranged on said second tank is movable relative thereto, and further comprising means for absorbing a mechanical stress created when said connection/disconnection means connects said recording liquid paths to prevent the mechanical stress from being applied to a carriage on which said record element is mounted.

Claim 5

A recorder according to claim 3 wherein said supply means includes means for supplying pressurized recording liquid.

Claim 6

A recorder according to claim 4 wherein said connection/disconnection means includes a curtain blade for protecting the inside of said recording liquid paths.

Claim 7

A recorder according to claim 3 wherein said connection/disconnection means includes a curtain blade for protecting the inside of said recording liquid paths.

Claim 8

A recorder according to claim 1 wherein said supply means includes means for supplying pressurized recording liquid.

Claim 9

A recorder according to claim 7 wherein said connection/disconnection means includes a plurality of connector, each having a pipe member and a sealing member to be fitted to the pipe member.

Claim 10

A recorder according to claim 8 wherein said sealing member is an O-ring.

Claim 11

A recorder according to claim 8 wherein said connectors include a path block mechanism for preventing air from entering when said recording liquid paths are not established.

Claim 12

A recorder according to claim 10 wherein said path block mechanism includes a value abuttable to said pipe member.

Claim 13

A recorder according to claim 1 wherein said connection/disconnection means includes a curtain blade for protecting the inside of said recording liquid paths when said connection/disconnection means is disconnected.

Claim 14

A recorder according to claim 1 wherein said supply means applies pressure to said recording liquid when said recording liquid paths are established.

Claim 15

A recorder according to claim 13 wherein said connection/disconnection means includes a connector having a pipe member and a sealing member to be fitted to the pipe member.

Claim 16

A recorder according to claim 14 wherein said sealing member is an O-ring.

Claim 17

A recorder according to claim 14 wherein said connector includes a path clock mechanism for preventing air from entering when said recording liquid path is not established.

Claim 18

A recorder according to claim 16 wherein said path block mechanism includes a valve abuttable to said pipe member.

Claim 19

A recorder according to claim 13 wherein said connection/disconnection means includes a curtain blade for protecting the inside of said recording liquid path.

Claim 20

A recorder comprising: a record element for recording data on a record medium by recording liquid; a first tank movable with said record element for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said record element; a second tank fixedly mounted on a body of said recorder for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said first tank; a recording liquid path for connecting said first tank with said second tank; connection/disconnection means for connecting and disconnecting said recording liquid path; supply means for supplying said recording liquid when said recording liquid path is established; means for absorbing a mechanical stress created when said connection/disconnection means connects said recording liquid path to prevent the mechanical stress from being applied to a carriage on which said record element is mounted; said connection/disconnection means including a member having an opening though which a member for constructing said recording liquid path extends; said member having the opening being supported to be movably axially of said recording liquid path; and said connection/disconnection means comprising a pair of connection/disconnection elements, wherein one of said connection/disconnection elements is arranged on said carriage and the other connection/disconnection element is arranged on a movable table other than said carriage, and said carriage is held by a movable restriction member which is abuttable to said carriage and to at least a portion of said connection/disconnection means arranged on said movable table when said recording liquid path is established.

Claim 21

A recorder comprising: a record element for recording data on a record medium by recording liquid; a first tank movable with said record element for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said record element; a second tank fixedly mounted on a body of said recorder for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said first tank; a recording liquid path for connecting said first tank with said second tank; connection/disconnection means for connecting and disconnecting said recording liquid path; supply means for supplying said recording liquid when said recording liquid path is established; means for absorbing a mechanical stress created when said connection/disconnection means connects said recording liquid path to prevent the mechanical stress from being applied to a carriage on which said record element is mounted; said connection/disconnection means including a member having an opening though which a member for constructing said recording liquid path extends; said member having the opening being supported to be movably axially of said recording liquid path; and said connection/disconnection means comprising a pair of connection/disconnection elements, wherein one of said connection/disconnection elements is arranged on said carriage and the other connection/disconnection element is arranged on a movable table other than said carriage, and said carriage is held by a movable restriction member which is abuttable to said carriage and to at least a portion of said connection/disconnection means arranged on said movable table when said recording liquid path is established.

Claim 22

A recorder comprising: a record element for recording data on a record medium by recording liquid; a first tank movable with said record element for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said record element; a second tank fixedly mounted on a body of said recorder for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said first tank; a recording liquid path for connecting said first tank to said second tank; connection/disconnection means for connecting and disconnecting said recording liquid path; supply means for supplying said recording liquid when said recording path is established; said connection/disconnection means being separately arranged on said record element and on said second tank so that said connection/disconnection means arranged on said second tank is movable relative thereto; means for absorbing a mechanical stress created when said connection/disconnection means connects said recording liquid path to prevent the mechanical stress from being applied to a carriage on which said record element is mounted; and said means for absorbing including a plurality of buffer means provided on at least one of said record element and said second tank.

Claim 23

A recorder comprising: a record element for recording data on a record medium by recording liquid; a first tank movable with said record element for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said record element; a second tank fixedly mounted on a body of said recorder for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said first tank; a recording liquid path for connecting said first tank to said second tank; connection/disconnection means for connecting and disconnecting said recording liquid path; supply means for supplying said recording liquid when said recording path is established; said connection/disconnection means being separately arranged on said record element and on said second tank so that said connection/disconnection means arranged on said second tank is movable relative thereto; means for absorbing a mechanical stress created when said connection/disconnection means connects said recording liquid path to prevent the mechanical stress from being applied to a carriage on which said record element is mounted; and said means for absorbing including a plurality of buffer means provided on at least one of said record element and said second tank.

Claim 24

A recorder according to claim 20 wherein said supply means includes means for supplying pressurized recording liquid.

Claim 25

A recorder according to claim 21 wherein said connection/disconnection means includes a connector having a pipe member and a sealing member to be fitted to the pipe member.

Claim 26

A recorder according to claim 21 wherein said sealing member is an O-ring.

Claim 27

A recorder according to claim 22 wherein said connector includes a path block mechanism for preventing air from entering when said recording liquid path is not established.

Claim 28

A recorder according to claim 24 wherein said path block mechanism includes a valve abuttable to said pipe member.

Claim 29

A recorder according to claim 21 wherein said connection/disconnection means includes a curtain blade for protecting the inside of said recording liquid path.

Claim 30

A recorder according to claim 20 wherein said connection/disconnection means includes a curtain blade for protecting the inside of said recording liquid path.

Claim 31

A recorder according to claim 20 further comprising capping means for cooperating with said record element.

Claim 32

A recorder comprising: a record element for recording data on a record medium by recording liquid; a first tank movable with said record element for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said record element; a second tank fixedly mounted on a body of said recorder for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said first tank; a recording liquid path for connecting said first tank to said second tank; connection/disconnection means for connecting and disconnecting said recording liquid path; supply means for supplying said recording liquid when said recording liquid path is established; means for absorbing a mechanical stress created when said connection/disconnection means connects said recording liquid path to prevent the mechanical stress from being applied to a carriage on which said record element is mounted; and said connection/disconnection means being arranged separately, wherein one of said connection/disconnection means is arranged on said carriage and the other connection/disconnection means is arranged on a movable table other than said carriage, and said carriage is held by a movable restriction member which is abuttable to said carriage and to at least a portion of said connection/disconnection means arranged on said movable table when said recording liquid path is established.

Claim 33

A recorder comprising: a record element for recording data on a record medium by recording liquid; a first tank movable with said record element for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said record element; a second tank fixedly mounted on a body of said recorder for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said first tank; a recording liquid path for connecting said first tank to said second tank; connection/disconnection means for connecting and disconnecting said recording liquid path; supply means for supplying said recording liquid when said recording liquid path is established; means for absorbing a mechanical stress created when said connection/disconnection means connects said recording liquid path to prevent the mechanical stress from being applied to a carriage on which said record element is mounted; and said connection/disconnection means being arranged separately, wherein one of said connection/disconnection means is arranged on said carriage and the other connection/disconnection means is arranged on a movable table other than said carriage, and said carriage is held by a movable restriction member which is abuttable to said carriage and to at least a portion of said connection/disconnection means arranged on said movable table when said recording liquid path is established.

Claim 34

A recorder according to claim 29 wherein capping means is mounted to said restriction member for cooperating with said record element.

Claim 35

A recorder comprising: a record element for recording data on a record medium by recording liquid; a first tank movable with said record element for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said record element; a second tank fixedly mounted on a body of said recorder for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said first tank; a recording liquid path for connecting said first tank with said second tank; connection/disconnection means for connecting and disconnecting said recording liquid path; supply means for supplying said recording liquid when said recording liquid path is established; and said connection/disconnection means including a curtain blade for protecting the inside of said recording liquid path, said curtain blade including a hole formed therein through which a member constituting part of said recording liquid path extends to connect said recording liquid path, wherein said recording liquid path is protected when said member is withdrawn.

Claim 36

A recorder comprising: a record element for recording data on a record medium by recording liquid; a first tank movable with said record element for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said record element; a second tank fixedly mounted on a body of said recorder for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said first tank; a recording liquid path for connecting said first tank with said second tank; connection/disconnection means for connecting and disconnecting said recording liquid path; supply means for supplying said recording liquid when said recording liquid path is established; and said connection/disconnection means including a curtain blade for protecting the inside of said recording liquid path, said curtain blade including a hole formed therein through which a member constituting part of said recording liquid path extends to connect said recording liquid path, wherein said recording liquid path is protected when said member is withdrawn.

Claim 37

A recorder according to claim 31 wherein said curtain blade is made of a rubber sheet.

Claim 38

A recorder according to claim 32 wherein a thickness of said curtain blade is reduced radially inwardly of said hole.

Claim 39

A recorder according to claim 32, wherein a diameter of said hole is smaller than one-third of a diameter of said member for constituting said recording liquid path.

Claim 40

A recorder comprising: a record element for recording data on a record medium by recording liquid; a first tank movable with said record element for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said record element; a second tank fixedly mounted on a body of said recorder for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said first tank; a recording liquid path for connecting said first tank with said second tank; connection/disconnection means for connecting and disconnecting said recording liquid path; supply means for supplying said recording liquid when said recording liquid path is established; and said connection/disconnection means including a plurality of curtain blades for protecting the inside of said recording liquid path, each said curtain blade including a hole formed therein through which a member constituting part of said recording liquid path extends.

Claim 41

A recorder comprising: a record element for recording data on a record medium by recording liquid; a first tank movable with said record element for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said record element; a second tank fixedly mounted on a body of said recorder for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said first tank; a recording liquid path for connecting said first tank with said second tank; connection/disconnection means for connecting and disconnecting said recording liquid path; supply means for supplying said recording liquid when said recording liquid path is established; and said connection/disconnection means including a plurality of curtain blades for protecting the inside of said recording liquid path, each said curtain blade including a hole formed therein through which a member constituting part of said recording liquid path extends.

Claim 42

A recorder according to claim 35 wherein said curtain blades include a blade having a plurality of cuttings and a blade having a hole.

Claim 43

A recorder comprising: a record element for recording data on a record medium by recording liquid; a first tank movable with said record element for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said record element; a second tank fixedly mounted on a body of said recorder for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said first tank; a recording liquid path for connecting said first tank with said second tank; connection/disconnection means for connecting and disconnecting said recording liquid path; supply means for supplying said recording liquid when said recording liquid path is established; and said connection/disconnection means including a curtain blade for protecting the inside of said recording liquid path, wherein a member constituting part of said recording liquid path can extend through a hole formed in said curtain blade and said member has a bellows separate from said curtain blade.

Claim 44

A recorder comprising: a record element for recording data on a record medium by recording liquid; a first tank movable with said record element for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said record element; a second tank fixedly mounted on a body of said recorder for storing therein said recording liquid to be supplied to said first tank; a recording liquid path for connecting said first tank with said second tank; connection/disconnection means for connecting and disconnecting said recording liquid path; supply means for supplying said recording liquid when said recording liquid path is established; and said connection/disconnection means including a curtain blade for protecting the inside of said recording liquid path, wherein a member constituting part of said recording liquid path can extend through a hole formed in said curtain blade and said member has a bellows separate from said curtain blade.